• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Film
  • DVD
  • Editorial
  • About ScreenFish

ScreenFish

where faith and film are intertwined

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • News
  • OtherFish
  • Podcast
  • Give
You are here: Home / Film / Eighth Grade: Coming of [Digital] Age

Eighth Grade: Coming of [Digital] Age

July 27, 2018 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Written and directed by Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade follows the story of Kayla (Elsie Fisher), a pre-teen girl in the final week before her middle school graduation. Looking forward to high school in the fall, Kayla is caught between who she was and who she wants to be. As her school year comes to a close, she must attempt to find herself in the midst of adolescence without losing herself in the process.

Despite being written by a man in his late 20s, Eighth Grade may be one of the most honest portrayals of teen life that we have seen in years. Every one of Burnham’s characters feels authentic, from Elsie’s YouTube videos to her father’s inability to speak her language. (Incidentally, to create Elsie’s voice, Burnham spent a great deal of time just listening to how pre-teens speak online, including their vocables and pauses.) Actress Elsie Fisher (Despicable Me) brings Kayla to life, portraying her with earnestness and awkwardness. Kayla isn’t merely any young person. She could very easily be any person, as she struggles to find herself in a world that seems unfriendly and foreign to her. In other words, though a 13 years old girl, her journey feels familiar to all of us.

The film is also an exploration of how we communicate with one another, revealing a world where social networking is neither good nor evil. Rather, it’s just the way things are. For Elsie, YouTube and Instagram are simply how she presents herself to the world. On the one hand, while she fakes ‘woke up like this’ photos, she also has a channel devoted to speaking words of encouragement to others in her experience. It’s not sensationalized or demonized. It just is.

Of course, in doing so, Eighth Grade is also a poignant piece about how we communicate with one another and the struggle to do so between generations. Without passing judgment, it reveals the differences and challenges in how we connect with one another and the world. Elsie’s father, for instance, is clearly feeling alienated from his daughter. She keeps up emotional walls and tells half stories regarding her day. Still, he continues to love her and offer the support that she needs, despite their shortcomings in communication. As such, the film serves as an example of how to break down some of these generational barriers. (Interestingly, the film even reminds us that 3-4 year age difference can feel like an entirely different generation as well.) No, we can’t always relate to one another’s experiences… but we can listen humbly and love unconditionally.

In the end, Eighth Grade isn’t just a film for parents and teens. It’s for us all. This is a story and speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost and overwhelmed by our circumstances. It is beautiful, honest and speaks to the power of authenticity. In short, it is a love letter to every generation.

Gucci.

Share it!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Film, Film Festivals, Reviews Tagged With: Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade, Elsie Fisher, social networking, Sundance Film Festival

About Steve Norton

Steve Norton is a pastor, hubby, and daddy (x2). I am a dedicated Jesus follower who looks for new ways to bring God glory and I have a ridiculous passion for film. It's one of my distinct interests to explore the connection between the two as well. Over the last 5 years, I've been proud to be a writer for Hollywood Jesus, Love Is Moving magazine and now, I have the privilege to help create ScreenFish.net! #forHisglory

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

THE SF NEWS

Get a special look, just for you.

sf podcast

Hot Off the Press

  • The Marijuana Conspiracy: Token Rights and Freedoms
  • Quo Vadis, Aida? – Helplessness
  • GIVEAWAY! The Marksman on Blu-Ray!
  • In The Earth: Getting Too Close to Mother Nature
  • Monday – The Price of Hedonism
Find tickets and showtimes on Fandango.

where faith and film are intertwined

film and television carry stories which remind us of the stories God has woven since the beginning of time. come with us on a journey to see where faith and film are intertwined.

Footer

ScreenFish Articles

The Marijuana Conspiracy: Token Rights and Freedoms

Quo Vadis, Aida? – Helplessness

  • About ScreenFish
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 · ScreenFish.net · Built by Aaron Lee

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.